Search teams were combing Gaetz Lakes Sanctuary on Thursday for more remains after a human arm was allegedly found last Saturday.
Experienced search and rescue volunteers, RCMP and Red Deer County Protective Services officers joined forces to search the sanctuary. They were called after a man searching for antlers in the woods around the nature preserve came across the gruesome find about 4:30 p.m. Saturday.
Police were notified and officers recovered the remains and searched the area but there has been no indication from police that anything else was found. A palm print of the hand was taken and the remains are with the Calgary's Chief Medical Examiner's Office where efforts are underway to identify their owner.
Waskasoo Environmental Education Society executive director Todd Nivens said four search teams were scouring the sanctuary on Thursday afternoon. Search dogs are also being used.
Nivens asked that the public to consider the sanctuary closed until further notice.
"There are multiple search teams working their areas and working their grids and they need to be able to complete their work without public interference."
Nivens said the first he heard something was amiss at the popular walking area from the RCMP on Monday.
An officer said there was an investigation underway.
"They said they were looking for evidence and there was no danger to the public. We didn't hear about the remains until (Wednesday) night."
Nivens did not want to say where the remains were found but said it was a "remote and very sensitive part of the sanctuary."
In the 25 years Nivens has worked at the sanctuary and Kerry Wood Nature Centre it is the first time a sad discovery of this kind has been made.
"Certainly, we've come across people in distress before."
Occasionally, homeless people camp in the woods and there have been cases where people have been found suffering from exposure.
Nivens said the thoughts of nature centre staff are with the family.
"We understand for the family involved that this is an experience that nobody ever wants to go through and we extend our condolences.
"We also extend our appreciation to search and rescue, the RCMP and Red Deer County Protective Services for the care and sensitivity that they're taking with this."
Kerry Wood Nature Centre has posted a message on its website asking visitors to stay away for now. An update will be provided when the trails reopen. Any questions on the investigation should be directed to Red Deer RCMP.
